Armed Forces awake to 'formless organizations'<\/p>\n
A recent spate of violent events, including the burning of the
\nhouse of a murder suspect in the eastern Jakarta district of
\nBambu Apus, has taken many by surprise. In the background, the
\nauthorities are now warning of the influence of \"formless
\norganizations\". Koesparmono Irsan, a retired police general, and
\nformerly deputy chief of operations, states his views on this
\nphenomenon.<\/p>\n
Question: Why do people tend to react in such a violent manner
\nafter criminal incidents nowadays?<\/p>\n
Answer: This is the reflection of their lack of faith in the
\nlaw. They are not satisfied with the present situation.
\nDissatisfaction is aroused because they are prejudiced about the
\npunishment to be meted out by the law; it is often
\ndisproportionate to the degree of crime.<\/p>\n
Q: Is the reason for their dissatisfaction justified?<\/p>\n
A: That might be so, just look at that gambling case and the
\nregular raids on gamblers, with nobody booked in the end.
\nQuestions are being asked by the people. And this is not to
\nmention the court trials where culprits are usually given only
\nlight sentences. What is more, since the public is in an erratic
\nstate, the authorities should watch out for parties who could
\nprofit from this labile situation.<\/p>\n
In the meantime, the idea that criminals seem to enjoy
\nprotection from the authorities has taken a strong footing among
\nthe public. Just look at how criminals are seemingly untouchable
\nduring investigations, or how they get free health care if they
\nfall ill. At the same time, the victims of crimes, their next of
\nkin, and even their neighbors may have to face great
\ninconvenience.<\/p>\n
In this situation, \"formless organizations\" will profit from
\nthe prevailing unrest. They will pour gasoline on the fire, and
\nthe people will take the law into their own hands.<\/p>\n
Q: In the case of the murder of the Rohadi family in Bambu
\nApus, East Jakarta, why did racial enmity ensue against the
\nsuspects who originated from East Nusa Tenggara?<\/p>\n
A: I don't believe that racial sentiment was alive in the
\nneighborhood of Bambu Apus, particularly in the environs of the
\nRohadi family. It seems that there are certain people who would
\nlike the people to look at this crime as a racial conflict. I
\nbelieve that the people on the site never nourished the idea, nor
\ndid they plan to take a hostile stance toward certain ethnic
\ngroups.<\/p>\n
The main reason why people reacted that way has to do with
\nlaw and crime rather than with racial hatred.<\/p>\n
Q: Then, what is the connection between the recent crime and
\nthe so-called formless organizations?<\/p>\n
A: These \"formless organizations\" actually profit from
\ncriminal excesses. They may not act as criminals; they don't
\nmurder. But, they manipulate the prevailing situation. For
\ninstance, the murder of the Rohadi family, was soon followed with
\nthe racial conflict.<\/p>\n
The same applies to the case in Jambi, where earthquake
\nvictims also took the law into their own hands. After the
\ncatastrophe, they were in a depressed state of mind. Then some
\nincident occurred which stirred their emotions. Then the conflict
\nbetween them and security officials resulted in loss of life.
\nWhat began as a minor misunderstanding should never have grown
\ninto a conflict with fatal results.<\/p>\n
These happenings are a reflection of a feeling of insecurity
\non the part of the people. They are anxious. In this state, they
\nwere fed rumors and became irrational. This is certainly the work
\nof \"formless organizations\" intent on attaining their goals.
\nTheir aim is obviously to cause disintegration of the social
\nfabric and the nation. They are applying the tactics and evil
\nstrategies of the communists.<\/p>\n
Q: So you see communism as remaining a threat.<\/p>\n
A: Yes, we should always be on the alert for the communists.
\nBut, this doesn't mean that non-communists are refraining
\nthemselves from applying \"formless organization\" tactics. The
\nauthorities have to be watchful too. We shouldn't fall under the
\nspell of the assumption that \"formless organization\" is
\nequivalent to the Indonesian Communist Party (PKI). There are
\nother potential threats opposing the state ideology Pancasila,
\napart from PKI, which are raising their heads and are equally
\ndangerous.<\/p>\n
Q: What do you mean by other potential threats?<\/p>\n
A: Extremists or organizations opposing Pancasila, which,
\nthreaten the nation's unity. They are, just like the PKI, anti-
\nestablishment. So, the authorities should be on the alert. If
\nthey are communists, just blast them away. It could very well be
\nthat this recent phenomenon is just the PKI in a different form,
\njust like a wolf in sheep's clothing.<\/p>\n
Q: How do you see the \"formless organizations\" as a potential
\ndanger to the unity of the nation?<\/p>\n
A: The movement of \"formless organizations\" is clearly a
\nthreat to the nation. We have to prevent the disintegration of
\nthis unified nation by such organizations. There have been, so
\nfar, two types of movements among the masses: those which are
\nwilling to accommodate and those which are difficult to get to
\nthe negotiating table. The statement concerning \"formless
\norganizations\" is, indeed, still a hypotheses. It still needs
\nfurther investigation.<\/p>\n
Q: If this is all still hypothetical, why is there so much
\nfuss about \"formless organizations\"?<\/p>\n
A: Indeed, this shows that the Armed Forces's early warning
\nsystem is at work. You mustn't think that ABRI is doing this just
\nto make up an issue. Not at all. The hypotheses about a possible
\ndanger threatening our nation's unity came from the Armed Forces
\ncircles not from among the politicians. It is like preparing for
\nbad weather; to have a raincoat and an umbrella ready. Whether it
\nis going to rain or not, is another matter. (aks)<\/p>\n
Maj. Gen. (ret) Koesparmono Irsan is now rector of Bhayangkara
\nUniversity, Jakarta.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/armed-forces-awake-to-formless-organizations-1447893297",
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